Gossips

Former Tory Minister Ann Widdecombe Laid to Rest Near Her Devon Home

Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has been laid to rest near her home in Devon following her death at the age of 78.

Widdecombe died on July 8, 2026, at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.

A private requiem Mass was held in her memory at Buckfast Abbey, a place where the former MP was reportedly a regular worshipper.

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The service included a homily delivered by the Rt Rev David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast, as family and close associates gathered to remember her life.

Widdecombe had a long career in British public life, having served as a Conservative MP before later becoming a spokeswoman for Reform UK.

Her connection with Buckfast Abbey was also personal, as she was known to worship regularly at the Abbey Church before her death.

Her funeral therefore provided an opportunity for those close to her to remember her in a place that had been significant to her faith.
The former politician died after she was reportedly attacked at her home in Haytor.

According to reports, she was struck repeatedly with a hammer while having lunch at the property.

A 28-year-old man, Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was subsequently charged with her murder on July 20.